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Former Tottenham Hotspur star Graham Roberts has told The Transfer Tavern that Eddie Howe has next to no chance of becoming the club’s next manager.

The former Bournemouth boss is currently out of work, having left the Cherries after their relegation to the Championship in 2020.

He has been heavily linked with the Celtic job, and he could well be heading north of the border in the coming months.

Still, he has been touted as a potential appointment for Spurs as they look to replace Mourinho, who was sacked last week.

It remains to be seen if the club would consider Howe a big enough name, given that he has been out of work for some time, and has never managed a so-called big club.

Indeed, throughout his career, he has managed Bournemouth in all but one season as a manager, when he took over at Burnley for the 2011/12 season.

Roberts was asked about the prospect of Howe joining the club and told TT: “No, not for me. I think he had a chance at Burnley and he never took that.

“I think Bournemouth was his team, he got brought up there, he could do what he liked there. Running a top six club is totally different.

“For me I think it’ll be too much because he’s been out of a job now for a year.

“It looks like Celtic are going to take him, but for me I just don’t see Eddie Howe as the big name the club want to take them forward.”

Jurgen Klopp reportedly sees AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners as an ‘ideal candidate’ to replace Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool.

It look increasingly likely that Wijnaldum will move on at the end of the season, following five exceptional years in a Reds shirt.

While Liverpool are well-stocked in midfield areas, the void that the Dutchman could leave may lead to Klopp delving into the transfer market.

Klopp eyes up Koopmeiners as Wijnaldum replacement

The Reds have been linked with signing Alkmaar star Koopmeiners in the recent past and another report has now emerged regarding the 22-year-old’s future.

According to AS [via Sport Witness], the Dutchman is someone Klopp rates and he sees him as the ‘ideal’ potential replacement for Wijnaldum.

Roma, Inter Milan, Napoli and Sevilla are all mentioned as potential suitors, though, with Koopmeiners excelling this season, scoring 15 goals in 28 Eredivisie appearances with two other strikes coming in European competition.

Transfer Tavern take

The youngster looks an extremely talented prospect, with his goal return this season exceptional, especially as he can often play as a defensive midfielder.

His output in the final third suggests he possesses Wijnaldum’s versatility – the Liverpool star is far more attacking for his country – so he could be a shrewd addition this summer, having averaged 2.8 tackles per game in the league in 2020/21 while still showing an eye for goal.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been rejoicing about the Reds being linked with a hugely exciting young player. Find out who it is here.

Leeds are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Barnsley striker Daryl Dike this summer.

What’s the story?

The 20-year-old has been in fine form since joining the Championship side on loan back in the January transfer window, netting five goals in league games.

According to TEAMtalk, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are among the clubs interested in signing the 20-year-old, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea also said to have been impressed.

The report adds that as it stands, it’s Everton who are the most interested in Dike, and that the only way Barnsley would be able to keep the striker on a more permanent basis, is if they earn promotion – they currently lie in fifth in the Championship table.

Tailor-made for the Premier League

Despite being 20, Dike already looks like a real handful as a striker, standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, and bullying Championship defences already.

A player profile done by SBNation noted: “A physical striker, Dike is more than a bruising finisher. His ‘delicate touch’ and high level of technical ability belie his size, enabling a confidence in possession with both passing and dribbling. That said, he scores a lot of goals in a variety of ways. Headed finishes, short-range placement, and long-range bombs, the 6’2” attacker can do it all.”

His teammate Jordan Williams meanwhile said: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he’s similar to Lukaku. He hasn’t scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard. He’s only 20 years of age. It’s amazing.”

Apart from having surprisingly good technical ability for a player of his size, it’s his temperament that has really got some of his former mentors talking.

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His former coach at Virginia, George Gelnovatch, raved: “But one of the things about him that nobody ever talks about is relentlessness. He is a relentless competitor, a ruthless guy on the field. You put that inside a body like his, and it’s pretty impressive.”

Given his natural physical attributes, and the fact he seems to have the perfect mentality, Dike seems tailor-made to succeed in the Premier League.

Bielsa could help Leeds wreak havoc in the top-flight next season by signing the powerful centre-forward this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds must keep this man at all costs this summer…

Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho is on Liverpool’s list of potential summer arrivals, according to journalist Christian Falk.

The Lowdown: Sancho exit possible

The 21-year-old has continued to excel for the Bundesliga giants this season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions and outlining his reputation as one of Europe’s best young players.

Sancho continues to be linked with a summer exit from Dortmund, however, with a return to England looking most likely should he leave Signal Iduna Park.

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The Latest: Liverpool again linked with move

Speaking to Bild [via Sport Witness], Falk confirmed that Sancho is being viewed as a possible summer signing by Liverpool, although they aren’t alone in showing in interest in him. The journalist outlined:

“That is indeed, true, Liverpool are looking at Sancho again.

“He is on the list, especially because they don’t know what will happen with Salah, who is always a bit on the move and thinking about a transfer.

“Chelsea are also very interested, as we have reported, and also Spain lures him again and again.

“If Salah were to be sold or he says he doesn’t want to be at the club anymore then there would surely be movement on Sancho with Liverpool.”

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The Verdict: Future superstar

Sancho is a special young talent who has already achieved so much at the top level, making 135 senior appearances for Dortmund and winning 18 England caps by the tender age of 21, so it is only natural that the Reds’ rumoured interest should be seen as hugely exciting.

Eventually, Jurgen Klopp will need to find long-term replacements for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, with the pair both turning 30 next year.

If Diogo Jota is the man to potentially fill the Mane-shaped void over time on the left, Sancho could then be Salah’s successor, wreaking havoc on the right wing by combining electric pace, quick feet and consistent end product.

The forward has 50 goals and 63 assists for Dortmund, which speaks volumes about his quality, but whether or not Liverpool can afford to sign him this summer without selling one of their main assets is debatable – Sancho is valued at £90m by Transfermarkt.

In other news, there has been a key update on Liverpool’s pursuit of one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

With Liverpool starting to flounder in the title race, they need something new to light up their momentum. Their current system is being found out by Premier League sides and Jurgen Klopp needs to try new things. With that in mind, introducing wonderkid Rhian Brewster into the fray can be a wise decision.

Brewster has been suffering from persistent injuries since his heroics at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot, helping the Three Lions lift the trophy. However, he is recovering pretty well and wishes to be a genuine option for Klopp. With not many sides knowing Brewster’s strengths, the German coach can find something different in him.

While the youngster is still a few weeks away from attaining match-fitness, when he does become available, Klopp should utilize him. Be it as only a substitute, Brewster’s pace and a fantastic eye for goal makes him a dangerous player for the Reds. He scored eight goals in the U-17 World Cup and has been prolific in the youth level competition for the Reds.

While not the biggest in frame, Brewster’s unpredictable movement and clinical striking ability make him an assured option for goals. He doesn’t miss much in front of goal and the way Liverpool create chances, he can blend into their system in no time.

The Reds need goals to overtake Manchester City’s superior goal difference. Brewster brings many goals with him and if utilized well, can be Klopp’s trump card into prevailing in this tight championship race. Perhaps this season is too soon, but if Liverpool are going to compete in the years going forward, Brewster can be a wild card.

Mel Morris is in talks with a number of interested parties regarding the sale of Derby County.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claimed in a recent post on Twitter that there are a number of live bidders for the Rams, while also suggesting that the club’s impending points deduction may not be as bad as first feared – if new owners are in place upon Derby’s appeal.

Nixon said: “Derby County. Live bidders plural. Top insiders also hinting that points penalty could be less on appeal if new ownership in place down the line.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how much their club has been through this season, having to endure the heartbreak of two failed takeover attempts and seeing their side barely scrape Championship survival after a number of catastrophic performances on the pitch, Nixon’s latest update provides Derby fans with a figurative light at the end of the tunnel.

With Morris appearing to be absolutely desperate to sell the club, the Rams cannot truly begin to move forward under Wayne Rooney with an owner who is not committed, either financially or emotionally.

Furthermore, with Nixon claiming that Derby’s pending points deduction for breaking the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules will likely be reduced on appeal after the change of owners, there is even more incentive for a sale of the club to be completed as rapidly as possible.

And, it goes without saying that the chances of the Rams’ sale actually going through are dramatically increased by more than one interested party bidding for the club.

As such, the journalist’s update is something that is likely to leave fans of the club buzzing, as once their side have sorted matters off the pitch out, they can begin to plan for next season under Rooney, with the aim of putting on a much more respectable showing in the Championship than last time out.

In other news: Imagine him & Mengi: Rooney must seal Derby deal for £1.8m-rated “leader” this summer – opinion

West Ham United could make their third signing from Slavia Prague in the space of 18 months.

According to a report from insiders Claret & Hugh, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal ‘could easily be joined’ by striker Abdallah Sima this summer.

19-year-old Sima has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season. Four of those goals came during Slavia’s run to the last eight of the Europa League, in which he scored at the King Power as they stunned Leicester at the end of February.

‘Clubs notice’ talents like Sima

Premier League legend Petr Cech claims ‘there aren’t many players like’ Sima in Europe.

“When a player appears who, at such a young age, succeeds in senior football, starts scoring goals and produces in Europe, clubs notice,” he said, speaking to iSport.

The Senegalese international is valued at £9.9million by Transfermarkt, and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring him.

Transfer Tavern verdict

It’s clear that West Ham are looking to repeat the trick here – Soucek and Coufal have both been revelations since they moved to the London Stadium.

The former made his move permanent in the summer for a fee of £15million and he’s impressively netted 12 goals from defensive midfield in 49 appearances for the club (via Transfermarkt).

Coufal joined at the end of the window for just £4.5million and the right-back has been almost an ever-present, playing 90 minutes in all but one match, and has contributed five assists (via Transfermarkt).

Breaking The Lines’ James Lloyd wrote that the right-back could be considered ‘the bargain of the summer’.

The Irons may just have hit on a hugely effective recruitment strategy.

In other news, West Ham have made an enquiry for this ‘keeper.

Manchester United are eyeing a big-money summer move for Wolves’ Pedro Neto as an alternative to Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.

That’s according to The Sun, who claimed that the Red Devils are weighing up a £50m deal for the 21-year-old, possibly in preference to long-term targets Grealish and Jadon Sancho.

Grealish outperforms Neto

Neto has scored five Premier League goals and provided four assists in 29 games this season. However, Grealish has netted six times in the top flight and has registered a whopping 12 assists in seven fewer games.

The Englishman is valued at £54m by Transfermarkt and is under contract at Villa Park until 2025, so it seems as if the Midlanders are under no pressure to sell their creative maestro.

Transfer Tavern take

Even though Villa seem to be in a strong position regarding Grealish, the news of United’s interest in Neto could please the Villa hierarchy.

However, in saying that, recent reports have claimed Manchester City are at the front of the queue for Grealish’s services.

Dean Smith has seen firsthand in recent weeks how his team struggles without Grealish. It seems as if United are looking at other options, though, and, hopefully their Manchester rivals will soon be doing the same.

In other news: Many Villa fans have been reacting on social media after Gabby Agbonlahor urged the club to sign 24 y/o striker, find out more here.  

According to transfer reports, Leeds are serious about making a summer move for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley.

What’s the story?

It has been suggested in recent weeks that Marcelo Bielsa’s side are interested in signing the Gambia international in the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to strengthen the centre of their defence.

Italian publication Il Secolo XIX have claimed (via Sport Witness) that Leeds’ scouts have been left impressed by Colley and that they are now serious about signing him.

The report added that an “offer is now ‘ready’ and that Sampdoria’s request of €12m-13m (£10m-11m) ‘wouldn’t be a problem’ for the Premier League club, ‘considering higher figures have been spent on far less performing defenders’.”

Could be Leeds’ own Van Dijk

Given that Leeds signed two established centre-backs in the shape of Robin Koch and Diego Llorente just last summer, it seems somewhat surprising that Victor Orta and co are looking to sign another proven central defender – especially when they also have club captain Liam Cooper and the likes of Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk, both of whom can fill in there too.

This season has seen Colley win 2.9 aerial duels per match, which would rank him second among Leeds’ squad for 2020/21, with only Cooper averaging higher with 3.9 per game.

Indeed, as per Whoscored, his average of 2.6 interceptions per game would rank him first in the entire Whites squad, while his 4.2 clearances per match also sees him comfortably above any of Bielsa’s current options.

Leeds only have to look at Liverpool to see the kind of transformative impact a dominant centre-back signing can have, with Virgil van Dijk playing a key role in turning the Reds into Premier League and Champions League winners since joining from Southampton.

While Colley isn’t in that same bracket perhaps just yet, the 1.92m (6 foot 3) powerhouse appears to have the kind of defensive strengths which would make him a formidable opponent for opposition attackers to overcome – in fact, his average of only being dribbled past 0.3 times per game is better than any Leeds player this season.

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Colley is a brick wall, and while a move is slightly surprising given Leeds’ current options at centre-back, it’s one which could see the Whites land their own version of Van Dijk.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could mould his next Roberto Ayala in this Leeds starlet…

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Roberto Firmino to leave this summer, having been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian has been a wonderful player for the Reds, becoming one of the poster boys of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield and winning both the Champions League and Premier League.

Firmino leads the line in his own unique way, pressing relentlessly off the ball and proving to be selfless on it, dropping deep and allowing Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane space in behind.

The 29-year-old may have contributed a huge amount for Liverpool down the years, but he hasn’t been himself for a sustained period now.

Firmino’s performances have dropped off for around a year, and for the first time, there are now real question marks about his place in the team, especially with Diogo Jota now such an influential member of the squad.

According to El Gol Digital [via TEAMtalk], Atletico are eyeing up a move for the Liverpool star, potentially viewing him as a replacement for Luis Suarez.

Liverpool fans call for Firmino to leave

These Reds supporters took to Twitter to talk up the idea of Firmino leaving, with many now believing it is time for him to move on.

“Swap deal for Felix + £40M-£65M”

Credit: @Umin01253591

“Yessssssss Suarez is coming home”

Credit: @paulo060802

“Sell him please”

Credit: @kieranfn18

“Swap for Felix”

Credit: @skratzz

“Please I beg”

Credit: @MDHanif_7

“Atletico Madrid interested in Firmino, $71M should be good deal imo”

Credit: @LFCSai7

In other news, Liverpool have been tipped to make a double signing this summer – find out more here.